I know there will probably be a ton of folks with negative things to say, including me, because there's no photo of it, but take a gander at the CZ-USA website. I just now saw it at the bottom of the page. They are calling it the CZ 550 Ultimate Hunting Rifle. It obviously is based on the CZ 550 action. It comes only in .300 Winchester Magnum. Does not specify if it has a wooden stock or not. But it does specify it has "guaranteed" minute of angle accuracy at 1,000 yards. There is not manufacturers suggested retail price on it either, but the specs do say it weighs in at eight pounds and has a 23.6 inch barrel. Just thought I'd let you folks know about it. Tom Purdom

I just picked up the 2006 CZ catalog at the Shot Show and it does list the CZ Ultimate rifle along with a photo. The price is to be announced. It does have a wooden stock, American style,(custom select is what it called in the catalog). Calling the weight at 8 pounds and MOA accuacy at 1000 yards guaranteed. 4 round fixed mag that hangs out below the bottom stock line sort of like a magazine but looks ugly. Will see if they have one on the rack at the show today.
Bruce J Boehm

I read an article about the ultimate hunting rifle. I must say it is a prety cool idea. Personaly I think i would rather just get a CZ 550 american or 550 medium in 300 win. I don't care for detacable magazine hunting rifles, and i think with hand loads I could get the avarage CZ 550 to shoot MOA and the idea of me shooting 600 yards at game is not one i would be comfortable with.
In my part of thr country, I see CZ varmint rifles and african big gae rifles at most gun shops . Rimfirs too, but standard hunting rifles are noplace. Except 1 shop that caters to millionares, cause they charge insane prices for them like 750.00 Dollars for a fifle someone else would be asking 550 for.
...tj3006

I am usually among the first to call BS on new products, especially when the marketers overpromise, but CZ and the 300 WM are sound choices. I think the accuracy promise can safely be dismissed, so CZ is just saying that they build a good 300 WM. And if you think about it, a CRF 300 is not a bad one-rifle/one-world choice.

This offering is even more interesting when you look at in light of Remchester's recent troubles. With the short-fats, Remchester tried to sell us very thin gains in performance, but their rifles that were more like last-ditch WWII German and Japanese rifles than with the guns that made their reputations. I think that's part of why so many people resisted them, and why Remchester has its tit in the wringer just now.

We have no shortage of great cartridges. We need better rifles. Frankly, I'm intrigued. I'd rather see it in a MacMillan stock, but I'll reserve judgement for a while.


Okie John

Well Said, Okie John,

The arms companies keep producing proprietary rounds cause they realize that where the profits be. Lots more money in keeping some poor hunter hooked up with proprietary ammo than a one time sale of a rifle that they make surprisingly little on.

That said, I like my 270 WSM a lot, maybe as much as my 270 Win.

But you are oh so right that it would be nice having a HIGH QUALITY production rifle available at a semi reasonable price. Say
$1,000-$1500.

Factory installed McMillan Stock, Model 70 / CZ
CRF action, Shilen Barrel. 3-4 lbs trigger pull from the factory. All stainless would be a bonus. Doesn't seem all that complicated.

Hugh

I have never seen any of the cz "mediums" in the flesh... would this action be long enough to build a .300 H&H on?

Only a 1000yrd MOA guarantee huh? Well I will have to think about it then...

Regards,
Dave

The info I've seen on this rig also makes it clear that while CZ backs that claim, the shooter needs to be using "premium" ammunition, (and they are even thinking of making custom loads for this rifle), and quality optics.

A lot of guys dismiss this new rifle right out of the gate, by saying that a MOA rifle is not that big of deal. But they are talking about 1 MOA at 100 yds. That doesn't mean that rifle would be capable of shooting MOA at 300 or 400 yds.

But a rifle that's capable of shooting MOA @ 1000 yds, would be incredibly accurate at lesser ranges.

The March issue of Shooting Times has an article by Dick Metcalf on this rifle. He used a "preproduction" model in Africa. His benchrest tests show best results at 500 yds. was a 2.38" group with the loads under developement by CZ.

He noted that the "receiver and bolt interface was deliberately opened up to allow for the sandy conditions of the desert" ( they were hunting in the Kalahari ) and the rifle did not have the set trigger which will be standard on production rifles.

Sounds interesting all the same !!